Reconfigurable Antenna

Team: Joshua Christensen

Project

  • Antennas with high directivity can produce a stronger signal with less power
  • Antennas with high directivity need to be steered
  • Antennas usually cannot be physically rotated
antenna diagram
directive antenna example

System

  • A microstrip patch antenna connects to a RF transmitter/receiver
  • An 8 port ribbon cable delivers DC voltages to control the angle
System flow diagram
System circuit diagram

Methods

  • The antenna was designed and simulated in Ansys HFSS
  • The PCB design files were created using KiCAD
  • The parasitic layer sits above the antenna and tilts the signal
antenna prototype 3D render 1
antenna prototype 3D render 2

Conclusion

  • Simulated beam steering was possible but weaker than what was desired
  • If given more time, I could try making a design that could steer a sharper angle
diagram beam steering
directive antenna model 1
directive antenna model 2